Robert William Overman

Robert William Overman, known as “Bob,” was born May 20, 1946, and passed away September 21, 2015. He was a native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, born to Robert W. Overman, Sr. and Ruby E. Overman. He was proud of his father who was a steelworker, and the perception capabilities of his mother. He is survived by his son, Tracy D. Overman; his sister, Zoe Overman Salem, and nephews and niece, Kerry Salem, Kody Salem, Kory Salem and Kammy Schreiner. Bob was educated in secondary schools in Pennsylvania and Canada. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and received his doctorate in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. He was a part of the criminal justice program of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and joined Guardsmark, Inc. in September 1978. He had a meteoric rise at Guardsmark, eventually becoming Vice President of Human Resources and was involved in the growth of the company from $25 million in annual revenues to $563 million. He was responsible for the overall selection of employees that numbered 18,000. He was the foremost expert in psychological testing in the private security industry. He was involved in literally hundreds of thousands of transactions involving people in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom. He played a very critical role in the history of the development of Guardsmark because of his singular focus on trying to recruit the best people and enhance their lives through better performance, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses throughout his tenure. He was known by those in the highest ranking positions of the FBI, the Secret Service and CIA. He was able to show them things that were in place in the Guardsmark program of which he was proud, and they listened and were impressed. His progression of professional contacts included many governors and senators. Bob loved Guardsmark greatly and had a number of other interests, but his hometown roots kept him a loyal and devoted Pittsburgh Steelers’ football fan. And he was loyal to his alma mater, the University of Tennessee. His keen insights into people put him in the position of promoting thousands during his career. He changed lives for those who worked within the company. Having spent 37 years at Guardsmark, he is mourned by thousands whose lives he touched. Ira A. Lipman, Founder of Guardsmark, stated, “Bob Overman was one of the greatest executives and people that I have ever worked with in my business career. He was hardworking, loyal, dedicated and committed to the success of Guardsmark and the success of all who were part of the Guardsmark team. He was focused on perfection and reached excellence in his career with the company. I will never forget him.” He was a great admirer of the late Rev. Adrian Rogers, and accompanied him on an overseas trip. Over the years he regularly attended services at Bellevue Baptist Church and at Highpoint Church in Memphis, Tennessee. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, September 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, 38122. The family will also receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 1. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on October 1 at Family Funeral Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.